Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 380 – Final Gameweek decisions and differentials

Joe and Seb are joined by Karam to look at the key issues facing Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers ahead of Gameweek 38.

It’s been a tough year, with the Covid-19 pandemic impacting on all walks of life. Top-flight football has been no exception, with fans unable to attend matches for much of the campaign and players forced to isolate for periods.

The season has been tricky for FPL managers to navigate, but it has also provided a welcome distraction for many.

Now, after 38 long, arduous weeks, the final set of fixtures is here and Joe, Karam and Seb are on hand to guide viewers and listeners over the last hurdle.

The Scoutcast crew take in the prospects for teams with something to play for, most notably a seat among Europe’s elite in the Champions League. Winning is vital and lots of goals will be needed for the likes of top captaincy candidate Mohamed Salah (£12.9m) and the rest of his Liverpool team-mates.

For other teams there is still pride to play for, as well as some extra cash for final league placings. Leeds’s first Premier League home game in front of fans for 17 years, against West Bromwich Albion, looks particularly enticing.

Meanwhile, West Ham United’s Michail Antonio (£6.6m) and Burnley striker Chris Wood (£6.5m) offer intriguing alternative options for FPL managers to consider.

More differentials are discussed when Joe looks at his ‘unfashionable players’ list once again to find more low-owned gems with strong points potential. Over the last few weeks, this list has correctly predicted strong returns from the likes of Manchester City’s recent hat-trick hero Ferran Torres (£7.0m) and Arsenal’s impressive youngster Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m), who scored in midweek.

There are mixed fortunes for the community in the penultimate “Rough with the Smooth” round-up. This contrasts with Joe, Seb and Karam’s performance in Gameweek 37, as just a handful of points separated them.

This latest episode finishes off with the crew revealing their final transfer and captaincy plans of the campaign.

The Scoutcast will be back next week for the final show of the season to look at the lessons they’ve learned and their blueprints for FPL glory in 2021/22.

This episode was aired live via YouTube on Thursday 20 May. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

770 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mork calling Orson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Emotional weekend ahead

    1. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      To quote Ian Holloway - the FPL season is like a night out, you spend ages planning it, then you head out on a complete rollercoaster of a night, then at the end most of us end up with a minger

      1. Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I hope the bloke who had a go at me for daring to state that FPL Family came as a husband and wife team, accusing me of being sexist, is going to come along and respond to this from his high horse.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Nano nano

        2. Mork calling Orson
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Minger isn’t gender specific trust me.

          1. Hangman Page
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            It isn’t, but when Holloway said it he wasn’t referring to men.

            I also do not have a problem with the use of the term.

          2. The Knights Template
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Mork and Mingy was a great show.

  2. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I have a 13 point deficit to make up on my ML rival, we both have Salah, Bruno, Kane, Bamford, Lingard.

    Is it worth taking a massive punt and switching one of those out, Bruno to Mane perhaps? Kane to Kun?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Kane outscores Kun for sure. Bruno out makes sense although I've not seen a compelling argument for Mane given his recent lack of returns

      1. Poetry in motion
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Mane has returns in 6 out of the last 7 games in which he started.

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mane has the stats

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Underlying stats perhaps. But two goals and four assists since his haul vs TOT in GW21 isn't exactly promising

    3. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mane . Not Kun

    4. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mane, Antonio Chel mid?

    5. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Do you think your rival is going to make a “Bruno to Mane” move?

  3. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Chasing 25 points.Who to captain?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      For a start, whoever your rival is not captaining

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ferran Torres

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Tarkowski

    4. lugs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      KDB, surely he plays this week

    5. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not salah if your chasing an assume rival has him?
      Depends on likeness off your teams to

  4. Party time
      2 years, 10 months ago

      At this rate, Bruno could be a differential this weekend

    • Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      This season
      Dallas top scoring defender
      Bamford second top scoring forward

      Who'd have thunk it?

      1. Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        No one!

        I’d based my attitude to Bamford on his failed spells elsewhere in the PL - Boro and Palace I think.

        Dallas was a definite preseason favourite along with Ayling but no could’ve foreseen just how good an option he’d be.

      2. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, they have been great,,Onto next seasons gems now

      3. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Not me, though I had Dallas, Harrison and Bamford in my team up the point the fixtures were announced at the start of the season.

        1. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          What doesn't surprise me is they all ended up in the top 10 for Value (season)

      4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bamford will be an FPL stalwart next season if he avoids the 8.0 - the new Jiminez/Ings figure

        What more do want for 7.5 than 25-30 attacking returns & a guaranteed starter every week....

        Same with Raphinia & Harrison if they creep in around 6.5 (wishful) or 7.0 (possible) - Leeds are just a super team

        See also - Aston Villa - Watkins & Grealish will be great picks if they can avoid massive price hikes

    • 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      What have to change guys?

      Areola vs NEW

      Trent, Robertson vs CRY, Allioski vs WBA,

      Salah vs CRY (C), Harrison vs WBA, Benrahma vs SOU, Willock vs ful,

      Nacho vs tot (VC), Antonio vs SOU, Bam vs WBA

      Subs: Leno vs BRI, Chillwell vs avl, Soucek vs SOU, Tarkowski vs shu

      Thanks

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Oh my days, ...........WTF were they thinking...........

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Play Soucek

      2. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bench boost?

    • Gideons Rolling Another One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A: Bamford
      B: Nacho
      C: Wood

      Already have Kane and Antonio...

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        A

      2. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        A

      3. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        A

    • Daghe Munegu
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      My defense is TAA Shaw Digne Holding Fofana

      Would you do Digne to Robbo -4?
      Or Shaw to Dallas -4?

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Wouldn’t personally do hit for a def for one week
        Think most taking hits for attackers

    • Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1FT 1.4m ITB

      Martinez
      TAA Digne Shaw
      Son Lingard Salah Raphinha
      DCL Bamford Kane

      Fabri - ESR Targett Mitchell

      Triple up on Leeds with Dallas, triple up on Liverpool with Robbo or move DCL to Antonio?

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Normally would say Antonio but your defence needs work.

        Dallas a better pick than Robbo imo

        1. Il Capitano
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers, think Targett/Shaw > Dallas with Digne starting/first sub might give me the strongest possible XI without hits.

    • Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would you take a hit on this team?

      Martinez

      TAA Dallas Shaw*

      Salah(c) Mane Harrison Greenwood*

      Kane Antonio Bamford

      Subs: Fabri Zaha Targett Veltman

      *don’t think Shaw/Greenwood play

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        No

    • The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Struggling with who to bring in and who to play with my team below. I'm thinking Wood but not 100%

      Pickford (Meslier)
      TAA / Coufal / Dallas (Digne / Stones)
      Bale / Son / Salah / Raph (Greenwood)
      Ings / DCL / Antonio

    • Trippier Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I've been frustrated like many around the use of VAR and how it paralyses and potentially ruins the game - although I'd agree with this article and stress it's the use of VAR, and not VAR itself, which is the problem - plus the ambiguity in rules, which themselves need better and sometimes simpler explanation. FWIW - I'm in favour of favouring the attacker, so for offside decisions, if it's ambiguous after zooming in 1x or something - give the damn goal!

      https://www.sportingferret.com/2020/12/07/why-var-is-not-the-problem/

    • Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Which of these looks good?

      a. Meslier & DCL -> Alisson & Bamford
      b. Digne & DCL -> Robertson & Wood (can't be Bamf as 3xLeeds and have Antonio)
      c. Bruno & DCL -> Premium Mid (TBC) & Wood

      Feel like I want to shift DCL, hence in all, but could do varying combos with Meslier/Digne and Bruno.

    • 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Morning all!!! Who to play???

      A- Martinez
      Or
      B- Areola

      Cheers!!!

      1. Jeremy Corbyn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I went B

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I’m leaning that way too mate at the moment!!

      2. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Think they'll both conceed so go with the man with the major save points this season (A)

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah this is my final thoughts mate, gotta think will Areola get a clean sheet, if I decide I think he won’t il be going for Martinez, eating to hear from the Newcastle press conference to see who’s definitely out for them in attack and will make the decision after that I think, thanks mate

      3. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        A for saves but I think both would conceded

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah could be absolutely right mate!! May as well just go for Martinez and not overthink it!!

      4. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Have both, playing Areola

    • Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Who drops out for Hernandez in the Leeds team? I assume Rodrigo but could it be Raphinha?

    • Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bench Kane or Son?

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Son if you had to

    • Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Got 15 points to make up in the ML. Same back 3 and Greenwood Bruno salah Kane bamford lingard

      Difference me zaha Mendy v raphina Lloris.

      Probably captain Bamford but to create another difference
      A) Bruno to mane
      B) Greenwood to Torres
      C) other suggestions?

      1. Ruudy Van
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Just a thought, Bruno to KDB?

    • House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B could pay off beautifully or fail spectacularly

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I failed spectacularly 🙁

        Was meant as a reply to.streetfriend

        1. Ruudy Van
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Haha thanks. I guess I’m in the camp of beautiful or fail tbh. It’s the only option I have.

          Holding first sub it all else fails and vydra around.

          Bruno to KDB or mane to risky?

          1. House Frey Wedding Planner
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            You're chasing so you gotta take the risk. Manè more likely to have game time than KDB imo

    • shabalala
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pick one for this gw:
      1.Bruno vs Wol
      2. Sigurdson vs City
      3. Mane (-4) vs Cry
      4. Lingard (-4) vs Sou
      Thanks

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        3 grudgingly

        1. shabalala
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks mate

    • I am Fred
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Is it madness to take a -4 hit when only 2 points behind in ML?! And I do I go the obvious Salah captain which rival will also do, or differentiate? Main differential rival has over me is Bamford. Also trying to protect a 38 point lead in work ML.

      Mendy (Martinez)
      Dallas TAA Digne Holding (Shaw)
      Bale Greenwood Salah Lingard (Jota)
      Antonio Kane

      1 ft, £0.1m itb

      Don't think there'll be many clean sheets this weekend so taking a hit would, for example allow me to go 3-5-2 and bring in Robbo/Harrison for Digne/Jota, or Alioski/Torres for Shaw/Jota.

    • Daghe Munegu
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bench one

      A. Lingard
      B. Greenwood
      C. Raphina
      D. Son
      E. Kane

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        B

    • DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Hi Guys

      Who would you bench from the below?

      A. Greenwood
      B. Lingard

      Thanks

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        A

    • House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Best move? I missed the boat to do Dias to TAA for free with the recent price rise

      A - Dias + DCL >> TAA + Bamford (-4)
      B - Shaw + DCL >> TAA + Bamford (-4)
      C - Bruno + DCL >> Manè + Bamford (-4)

      Am 28 pts clear of rival who has TAA. Suspect he may end up doing Bruno to Manè (c) to try and catch me

      Cheers

      1. FPLord
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        If you think he will captain Mane I probably would do C. Do you have another Liverpool defender, if yes, then definitely C

        1. House Frey Wedding Planner
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah I have Phillips

          1. FPLord
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            then you have my answer 🙂

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Cheers

    • JY84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Im leading by 40 pts n hv 2FT while e 2nd placed team still have bench boost.... As such, im in a dilemma what my priority shd be! Current squad is

      Martinez
      Struijk Cresswell Philips
      Bruno Salah Lingard Willock
      Watkins DCL Kane
      (Forster, Zaha, Holding,Shaw)

      Shd I aim to match up to e second placed team by transferring in e likes of TAA n Harrison ie players which he has or shd I aim to make my squad stronger by getting in Bamford n Antonio or even Mane to replace Bruno??? My defence currently is all right in my opinion but my attack sucks so was wondering whether I shd still persist with matching him or just focus on making my squad stronger!

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Any 2 out of Bamford, Antonio and Manè for Bruno and DCL will work fine

        1. JY84
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          So in ur opinion, I should not be matching up with the 2nd placed team by bringing in e likes of TAA n Harrison and should just focus on strengthening my squad?

          1. House Frey Wedding Planner
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            40 points is a big hurdle to overcome.....I don't think TAA and Harrison will make that up between them two.

            Better to stick to your own strategy than trying to block your rival

          2. FPLord
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            40 points are enough and you have Phillips to cover the CS points so yes

            1. JY84
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Thanks both for ur advice! Cheers! 🙂

    • TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Sell DCL or Watkins for Bamford? The one I keep will be 1st sub.

      Thanks.

      1. Efan Ekoku Pops
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        DCL

    • Nemanja Vidic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1FT 0.0 ITB
      -14 behind rival in mini league

      ME
      Mendy
      TAA Rudiger Holding
      Salah Son Greenwood Raph
      Kane DCL Antonio
      Forster Regulion Ward Jota

      RIVAL: 1FT
      Mendy
      Philips Holding Dallas
      Fernandes Salah Son Greenwood Raphinha
      Bamford Kane
      Forster Coady Vydra Amartey

      a) Son Jota to Mane ESR
      b) DCL Jota to Firmino Saka
      c) Something else

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Think you need to take a long shot punt and hope it pays off. With 2 transfers you're 18 points behind....

        I'd do Jota (or Greenwood if you don't have the money) to Torres and put the armband on Torres or Antonio.

    • FPLord
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Leading by 29p. What to do to finish first?

      Mendy (Forster) TAA Dallas Rudiger (Godfrey Shaw)
      Salah Son Lingard Mahrez Raphinha
      Kane DCL (Davis) 2.1

      A. Shaw > Robertson
      B. Son, DCL > Mane, Bamford/Antonio -4
      C. Davis, DCL > Bamford, Antonio -4 (probably bench Mahrez)

      Rival has Bamford, Antonio and Mane (probably as c), otherwise I would skip B as I quite like the look of Son in this fixture.

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        C seems a good option. 2 superior in form forwards for one with a tough fixture and the other who is bench fodder

    • Efan Ekoku Pops
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      First time poster this season. Glad to see the site is still going strong. I sit 8 points behind my ML rival who owns Bamford.

      Should I do Bale + DCL > Mané + Bamford (-4)
      A) Yay
      B) Nay

      Thanks and good luck everyone!

      1. FPLord
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        wouldn't take a hit unless you captain Mane. Difficult to tell without knowing your teams. Antonio over Bamford could be an option

        1. Efan Ekoku Pops
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks! I already own Antonio. Might do DCL > Firmino instead.

    • OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Who To play ?
      A- Digne MCI (A)
      B- Dunk ARS (A)
      C- Konsa CHE (H)
      Or Sell one of them but already -4.

    • TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Which one scores more points in 38:

      A. Son
      B. Mane -4

      1. FPLord
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Son

      2. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        with Mane, you would be surprised if he didn't get something. With Son, you wouldn't be surprised if he blanks. But the hit makes it close.

        Always a risk taking hits taking good players out for a hit.

      3. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Mane